How to Calculate Cost Basis for Inherited Real Estate

by C. Taylor; Updated June 30, 2018

The cost basis for real estate is used to calculate the profit gained when you sell a property. The cost basis is typically the purchase price, but for inherited real estate, that is not an option, because you never actually purchased it. Therefore, special rules apply in determining your cost basis, depending on when the decedent died. The cost basis stepped up to the fair market value on the date of the decedent's death.

The Date of Death

Take note of when the decedent passed away. If he died in 2018, then the cost basis carries over, so you will use the decedent's original cost basis. This might be the purchase price or a step up cost basis, if he inherited the property. In addition, there is a total step-up basis of $1.3 million, or $4.3 million for surviving spouses, which increases the cost basis. This basis increase is applied to the total inheritance, not just real estate, so you may choose to use all, or none, of it on the real estate. As an example, if the owner's cost basis was $250,000, but the property appreciated to $2.5 million, your cost basis would be $250,000, plus $1.3 million. This is assuming you elected to apply the entire cost basis addition to real estate, and were not a surviving spouse. Therefore, your cost basis would be $1.55 million.

Alternative Dates

Contact the executor of the will and ask if he's elected to use an alternate date when determining cost basis. The executor may elect to use a date six months after the decedent's death. If he did not elect to use an alternate date, then the date of death is used.

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Real Estate Appraisal

Contact a real estate appraiser and request an appraisal be performed for that date. This appraisal tells you the value of the property on that date, which serves as the cost basis. For example, if a property was original purchased for $250,000 and it appreciated to $2.5 million by the date of death, or the alternate date, your cost basis would be $2.5 million.

Capital Gains When Selling the Property

If you decide to sell your inherited property, your cost basis is the date of death or the alternate date. That means if you sell the house within a short period of time, your capital gains tax is likely to prove minimal. For example, if your cost basis is $2.5 million, but you sell the house for $2.6 million, you will only pay capital gains tax on that extra $100,000.